PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Neil Tog (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Popoy Bato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tog
vs
Bato

189 cm
19
273 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
19
274 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Neil Tog!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Popoy Bato!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tog shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Bato working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tog doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tog manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bato striking off his back but it's not causing Tog any problems.
Tog looking to pass the guard.
Bato managing to control the position.
Tog wants to get up but he can't break Bato's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Tog tries to free his leg and advance position but Bato is retaining full guard.
Tog trying to control but Bato is working from the bottom.
Bato looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bato lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tog tries to clinch up.
Tog tries to clinch there but Bato circles away.
Tog tries to bum rush Bato with a series of wild strikes but Bato uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tog throws a wild body kick that Bato sees coming a mile off.
Tog misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tog tries to clinch up but Bato circles away and keeps his distance.
Tog fails with the takedown.
Bato shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tog sprawls well. Tog wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bato gets slowly back to his feet.
Bato throws a head kick that misses

and Tog decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bato's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bato not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tog is breathing heavily.
Bato doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Bato trying to keep a closed guard but Tog is proving a slippery customer.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Popoy Bato wasn't active enough on the ground.
Bato scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tog gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Bato counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Tog's guard now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tog has momentary wrist control but Bato slips an elbow through the middle.
Bato showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bato decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tog, up you get!

Bato shoots in and bounces Tog off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Tog is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bato postures up.
Tog looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bato is one step ahead there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bato tries to free his leg and advance position but Tog is retaining full guard.
Bato wants to stand and escape but instead Tog has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Popoy Bato dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bato tries to close the distance and clinch but Tog swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Neil Tog is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bato circles away from the clinch attempt

and Bato moves into the clinch.

Tog escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bato checks the leg kick nicely there.
Bato fails with the takedown
and Tog counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Tog shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Tog was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Tog unloading with bombs!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bato tries to reverse the position but Tog maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tog looking to control but Bato is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Bato tries to hold on but Tog pushes him away.

Tog gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Tog lunges at Bato with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bato's hand.
Tog looks to clinch
and Bato counters with a good low kick that Tog was not able to check.
Tog throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tog really is a fat lump.
Tog tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bato sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tog somewhat.

Bato moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tog drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bato gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Bato's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Bato closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tog did well to prevent Bato getting side control.
Tog is not content to let Bato control the position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tog manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bato wants to get up but he can't break Tog's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Bato trying to control the position from guard on top but Tog is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Neil Tog overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bato controlling from the top position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tog is on top in guard.
Tog wants to control from the top but Bato keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tog accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tog is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bato managing to control the position.

Popoy Bato has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Bato shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bato performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tog wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neil Tog dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bato tries to clinch but Tog moves out of range.
Tog tries to clinch

and Bato counters with a shoot takedown. Tog fights it but they end up in guard.

Tog looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tog avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tog keeping full guard, as Bato tries to pass.

Bato decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tog, up you get!
Tog fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tog drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bato gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bato controlling the action here for a moment.
Tog is trying to force a seperation but Bato has the dominant position.
Bato lands a damaging elbow.

Bato manages to break the clinch.
Nice body kick from Bato.
Bato has his takedown stuffed

and Tog decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bato's guard.
Bato trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bato not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bato manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Bato wants to control the pace but Tog is squirming around nicely.
Tog regains half guard.
Bato wants to control but Tog is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bato is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Bato seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tog does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Tog wants to control but Bato is keeping busy.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Popoy Bato hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Bato changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tog tries to avoid it but Bato manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tog to the ground. Tog escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bato misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tog closes the distance looking to clinch

and Bato decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tog's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tog working a defensive guard here.

Tog throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tog pulls Bato in to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tog has a closed guard, preventing Bato from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Popoy Bato comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bato has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Popoy Bato!